Watching the livefeed of the USA v Germany "practice" game. Starting the 2nd period with Germany up 2-1. DeBrincat assisted on the USA goal and Kahun scored one of the Germany goals.

https://www.magentasport....nt/deutschland-usa/443611
- EbonyRaptor

I’m expecting big things from Kahun next season.

He’s my pick to be most improved for next season. If I was Stan I’d try to lock him up long term now before he gets expensive.

I don’t think anyone “hates” Panarin. IMO some folks point out the limitations to his game in response to another group that tends to overvalue his impact on the ice. This was a simmering debate while he was here with the Hawks - but then went up a notch in response to his trade for Saad. Also, some people point out (rightfully so IMO) that the Hawks roster/cap concerns don’t really lend themselves to courting Panarin as an UFA this off-season.

So, while I agree with you that in a perfect world the Hawks should sign Panarin, still be able to address their defensive concerns AND manage their cap space. However, I don’t believe there is a realistic scenario where all of those three concerns can be addressed.
- Chief4Feathers

I agree with you. I acknowledge that maybe "hate" was a strong choice of words. I think Panarin had a solid post-season for the second straight year. He was the offensive leader for his team in goals and points and is around top 10 in NHL scoring in the post season so far.

If I'm a CBJ fan, I'm more disappointed in the lack of production from some other guys in this series. Dubois had one goal and one assist in 6 games. Wenneberg was awful this year, played 4 games in the series, didn't manage a shot on goal or anything. Josh Anderson got one assist. Bjorkstrand had one assist. Dzingle 1 goal. Duchene 2 goals 1 assist. I think some other guys needed to step up and they failed to do so.

I'm not advocating the Stan should sign Panarin or that signing him fixes our issues, but just that he is not a player that hurts you if you have him on your team. I am not sold that the Hawks could work it out to sign him.

I’m expecting big things from Kahun next season.

He’s my pick to be most improved for next season. If I was Stan I’d try to lock him up long term now before he gets expensive.
- TommyHawk

So there's a topic for TC (since we still have 6 1/2 weeks until the draft) - who will be the most improved Blackhawk next season?

I would vote for Dylan Sikura.

Another topic could be who would be the most likely to regress next season.

I'd have to think about the answer to that one....

I’m expecting big things from Kahun next season.

He’s my pick to be most improved for next season. If I was Stan I’d try to lock him up long term now before he gets expensive.
- TommyHawk

Yep, and as I mentioned yesterday he is playing center for Germany so maybe that's an option for the Hawks to try. I don't know how he is on faceoffs but he's responsible on defense and he would be a cheaper option than Anisimov at 3C.

Wiz ..... Turcotte at 3?

Injury plagued player, going to Wisconsin for at least 2 years. Doesn't help us much. Wouldn't Cozens be a better fit? He could step in at L3 center to start the year.
- gifman

I think it was ebony I said this to in a PM, I just rewatched the World junior U-18s all the games a second time and it took a second sitting that had a lightbulb come on in my head, that the entire US team, their education rink wise, their now instinctive on ice behaviors...they just looked much better than the other teams because they doin play together, and that it enables us to see an efficient well oiled machine and there is far too much to like in the entire group, but the final check was that Turcotte was still fighting pneumonia and mono...and I remembered at the Columbus / Kane draft how Dougie Wilson worked those phones to move into the St. Louis #9 slot to take Logan Couture after fell that far, because his season was one with poor numbers due to mono...

It just made me think, I like what I see now, what if there is a whole lot more there that is coming?

So there's a topic for TC (since we still have 6 1/2 weeks until the draft) - who will be the most improved Blackhawk next season?

I would vote for Dylan Sikura.

Another topic could be who would be the most likely to regress next season.

I'd have to think about the answer to that one....
- StLBravesFan

I think Sikura is a good pick. He was showing signs of it, but not much on the scoreboard.

Regression is hard to guess...those highest up have the most room to fall. I mean, production wise, Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Gustafsson all put up numbers that are not easy to replicate. You could make a case that each one doesn't match their totals from last season offensively.

I'm going to say that for me, I predict Perlini to be the biggest disappointment, but that is just a guess.

I agree with you. I acknowledge that maybe "hate" was a strong choice of words. I think Panarin had a solid post-season for the second straight year. He was the offensive leader for his team in goals and points and is around top 10 in NHL scoring in the post season so far.

If I'm a CBJ fan, I'm more disappointed in the lack of production from some other guys in this series. Dubois had one goal and one assist in 6 games. Wenneberg was awful this year, played 4 games in the series, didn't manage a shot on goal or anything. Josh Anderson got one assist. Bjorkstrand had one assist. Dzingle 1 goal. Duchene 2 goals 1 assist. I think some other guys needed to step up and they failed to do so.

I'm not advocating the Stan should sign Panarin or that signing him fixes our issues, but just that he is not a player that hurts you if you have him on your team. I am not sold that the Hawks could work it out to sign him.
- breadbag

We seem to forget that although Columbus upset Tampa (who thought that), Columbus was a wild card team that made the dance the last week of the season, while Boston was the #2 seed. Maybe Boston is the better team and played well, as opposed to Columbus and its players underperforming.

I’m expecting big things from Kahun next season.

He’s my pick to be most improved for next season. If I was Stan I’d try to lock him up long term now before he gets expensive.
- TommyHawk

I know that the hawks still think very highly of Kahun's upside that he started realizing he could play in the League (That is from Kevin Dineen)

and Sikura isn't done and his chances are not finished.

Wiz ..... Turcotte at 3?

Injury plagued player, going to Wisconsin for at least 2 years. Doesn't help us much. Wouldn't Cozens be a better fit? He could step in at L3 center to start the year.
- gifman

It isn't always the case where it's either defensive d-man or offensive d-man - some players do both very well. I've already cited Doughty but there are others such as Josi who are very good both defensively and offensively.
- EbonyRaptor

You happened to choose 2 of the better 'all round' defenceman in the NHL in Doughty and Jodi.

What I admire in a Dman is one who is very proficient in his own end breaking up plays and boxing out and can also contribute up ice when his team has the puck and is on the attack. Guys like M-E Vlasic and Matthias Ekholm. Unfortunately not many of those types around.

Boston’s Charlie McAvoy will have a hearing today for an Illegal Check to the Head on Columbus’ Josh Anderson.

You happened to choose 2 of the better 'all round' defenceman in the NHL in Doughty and Jodi.

What I admire in a Dman is one who is very proficient in his own end breaking up plays and boxing out and can also contribute up ice when his team has the puck and is on the attack. Guys like M-E Vlasic and Matthias Ekholm. Unfortunately not many of those types around.
- RickJ

Well I wasn't going to give a couple bad examples.

But seriously, you're correct - there aren't that many of those guys that are top-end both defensively and offensively. I know Wiz isn't sold on Byram on the defensive side and sites his lack of defensive awareness as the limiting factor, and maybe he's right. But on the other hand maybe the kid can improve in that area because he's got the skating and offensive side and he shows he's capable of playing physical so that tells me he has that "neanderthal gene" that players either have or don't have and it's not something you can learn or acquire.

When I look at the other top d-prospects - I expect Boqvist to be great offensively but probably the most we can hope for is that be becomes adequate defensively. Jokiharju has a chance to be pretty good defensively and he has a good point shot but he's not a dynamic offensive player the way Boqvist is. Beaudin seems to be pretty good at both but not exceptional at either. Mitchell has more of a physical game than the other 3 but isn't exception at anything either.

Byram is already showing he can be exceptional offensively and has a chance to be exceptional defensively if he can become more defensively aware. That's why I would take a chance on drafting him #3.

So there's a topic for TC (since we still have 6 1/2 weeks until the draft) - who will be the most improved Blackhawk next season?

I would vote for Dylan Sikura.

Another topic could be who would be the most likely to regress next season.

I'd have to think about the answer to that one....
- StLBravesFan

Sikura is probably the most likely. He plays all 200' and generated a lot of chances. I think a lot of those start to go in next year (on a lower line).

My pick would be Caggiula. It looks like he really likes the organization and the team, and goes full bore every shift. It seems like he really wants to impress his second team. Not to mention, his contract is up at the end of next year.

My regression pick is Strome. I think if they fully implement a bigger commitment to defense, his numbers will drop. That said, if the goals against (and high danger chances) decrease as a result of it, I'm happy to see it. So, I guess that regression would simply be related to point production.

DeBrincat with a goal and 2 assists in the USA's 5-2 victory over Germany in a practice game. Real tourney games start Friday and all are televised on NHL channel.

You're over thinking this. How did Cozens suddenly become a lazy player who wants to "take a break from that sort of play"? I hope the Hawks don't read too much into one tournament no matter who they are looking at. We don't know if cozens was injured, had difficulties with the size of the ice surface, was on a bad team, or if he indeed isn't very good.
- paulr

Get out of here with that level headed thinking. If it was posted on the internet or said by someone on TV it should be good enough for you.

I think Sikura is a good pick. He was showing signs of it, but not much on the scoreboard.

Regression is hard to guess...those highest up have the most room to fall. I mean, production wise, Toews, Kane, DeBrincat, Gustafsson all put up numbers that are not easy to replicate. You could make a case that each one doesn't match their totals from last season offensively.

I'm going to say that for me, I predict Perlini to be the biggest disappointment, but that is just a guess.
- breadbag

Can the biggest disappointment really be someone you don't expect to produce big numbers? I mean, he has the capability, but he's never shown that he can do it consistently. That's why IF he's resigned, it won't be for big money.

Boston’s Charlie McAvoy will have a hearing today for an Illegal Check to the Head on Columbus’ Josh Anderson.
- walleyeb1

He's looking at least 3 games....
Or at least that is what he deserves if not more.

DeBrincat with a goal and 2 assists in the USA's 5-2 victory over Germany in a practice game. Real tourney games start Friday and all are televised on NHL channel.
- EbonyRaptor

Did Kahun play?

He's looking at least 3 games....
Or at least that is what he deserves if not more.
- BGKarras

1 game max.

Player Safety isn't going to screw around with a harsh sentence for somebody playing on a team that Jeremy Jacobs owns.

Now if it was the Arizona Coyotes or Buffalo that would be different.

1 game max.

Player Safety isn't going to screw around with a harsh sentence for somebody playing on a team that Jeremy Jacobs owns.

Now if it was the Arizona Coyotes or Buffalo that would be different.
- RickJ

Yeah that’s exactly what I expect, I’d be shocked if it’s anything more than that z

Wiz (and others), what is your opinion of Dennis Gilbert, who unlike the other Hawk D-man prospects, is big and physical?

Did Kahun play?
- DarthKane

Yeah scored a goal.


https://twitter.com/croum.../1125815205638832128?s=21

Did Kahun play?
- DarthKane

Yep - he played center and scored one of the two Germany goals.

Yeah the Blackhawks biggest problem last season was defense, but I don’t put that solely on our Dmen. Watching the playoffs really has made me more convinced than ever that our defense problem is more of a forward problem than a Dman problem.

Not that we don’t have a a Dman problem or can’t improve our Dmen group as a whole by adding another top four Dman, we can. But that’s not getting to the root of the defensive problem.

Colliton quote via Scott Powers with the Athletic:

“If you just kind of mail it in for two-thirds of the ice, well, then it’s not very fun because you’re going to end up in your own end defending hard and you’re going to give up chances. Whereas if as a team, five guys working together all the way up the ice, we’re going to have the puck more, we’re going to be in the offensive zone more, we’re going to give up less chances, we’re going to create more offensively.”
- walleyeb1

Thought that was a good article and interesting quote from there as well. Also agree with your original statement and think a couple of players added in the middle/bottom 6 with a stronger commitment to defense could have an impact to overall team defense.

Yeah scored a goal.


https://twitter.com/croum.../1125815205638832128?s=21
- walleyeb1

Thanks to you and Ebony.

Question... why didn't the Hawks give Kahun #72?